A 40-year-old man was arrested for making repeated threats. University of Connecticut Women's basketball superstar Paige Bueckers According to ESPN:Police on Friday took an Oregon man, Robert Cole Parmalee, into custody and charged him with disturbing the peace, electronic stalking and harassment for allegedly sending a series of strange and disturbing messages about Bookers.
The University of Connecticut became aware of the possible stalking when it received an email in June from the man detailing his desire to marry a member of the basketball team. The man's social media accounts were filled with references to Bueckers, and he had reportedly fabricated fake wedding invitations and posted multiple photos of himself wearing an engagement ring.
The story gets even scarier from there, as ESPN reports of his threat to Bueckers:
Parmalee also made social media posts that a University of Connecticut police officer described as threats against Bookers' friends and family. One post on his TikTok account read, “If I can't live with the woman I choose, [Bueckers]So I choose death and take you all away. [op]Go against me, go to hell and come back, O King.”
Parmley also reportedly continued to send direct messages to Bueckers on Instagram until she contacted police about his behavior. Parmley was also arrested in Connecticut in August after he was spotted trespassing on a highway near an airport. He reportedly told police he was on his way to meet Bueckers.
Women's basketball stars are facing increasing harassment as the sport grows in popularity. WNBA Players recently accused Commissioner Cathy Engelbert of not adequately condemning online racism against athletes.
Read Katie Heindle talks about the rise in intimidation and violence against women in sports.
